Norris takes Brazilian GP pole as Russell, Hamilton and Verstappen hit with grid penalties

Lando Norris secured pole position for the 2026 Formula 1 Brazilian Grand Prix, with Kimi Antonelli qualifying second for Mercedes and Liam Lawson slotting into third for Racing Bulls on the provisional starting grid.

The grid picture was complicated significantly by a wave of power unit penalties. George Russell, Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez have all been penalised for exceeding their permitted allocation of power unit components, meaning the final race order will look markedly different from the raw qualifying result once the FIA completes its validation.

Norris’s pole adds to his strong recent form and keeps him in contention at the front of the field, while Antonelli’s front-row start underlines the continued progress of the young Mercedes driver in his debut season at the top level.

The penalties for Verstappen and Hamilton in particular will be closely watched, given both drivers’ involvement in the championship picture. The precise number of places each driver drops will be confirmed in the FIA’s final grid sheet ahead of the race.